Letters to the Editor Sunday

Sunday

The recent untimely passing of Tybee lighthouse keeper Cullen Chambers reminds us that life and death is not in our control.

If you have lost a loved one suddenly, you know what a shock it is.

Yesterday, the person was alive and the next day they are gone. You wonder if you'd remembered to say "I love" you when you had the chance.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22,, a very large group from Tybee and beyond gathered at the base of the lighthouse to say a fond farewell to a man they all liked and admired. The sun was shining bright and the sky was blue but the temperature was about 40, which is far from normal weather on the beach.

In spite of the chill no one seemed in a hurry to leave after the strains of "Amazing Grace" from the bagpiper atop the lighthouse and then "Taps" from the bugler on the porch faded away. Old friends lingered to talk, while some people headed to the American Legion post for a covered dish dinner honoring Cullen.

Most of you probably never heard of Cullen before last week. He was a very low-key individual who never seemed to have a harsh word to say. Even when you disagreed with him you liked him.

He was devoted to Tybee, but the funny thing was, as he told me several years ago, he couldn't afford to live there. I thought it sad that someone who had given so much of himself to this small island could not afford to live there.

He was passionate about his work with lighthouses and historic preservation. That passion defined Cullen.

Greed and ambition did not. From all I've heard, he was a person truly happy in his skin.

As I left the gathering, two thoughts occurred to me. First, that Cullen should be there, greeting his friends. I wondered if, in his life, he realized how much he was appreciated.

Taking that thought a little further, I wondered how many people we know and like never realize how much they mean to us. We take so much for granted we tend to forget to say "thank you" when someone helps us or does something kind.

My other thought? Many of us have been raised to believe that we never know when we will be taken and we should get our house in order. Putting the two thoughts together, I hope I can live each day with passion or at least enjoyment in what I am doing and to remember to say "thank you" for kindnesses and for my blessings. And to say at least a silent "I love you" to the people in my life who make it so special. I hope you know who you are.

MARIANNE HEIMES

Savannah

Our definition of what's abominable has changed

Thanks for printing my letter about the Duck Dynasty controversy. I appreciate your edit of my more vitriolic statements.

However, I was somewhat disturbed that you removed what I consider my most prescient point with the Holiness Code.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I hope you'll afford me the space to try again: The eating of shellfish is condemned as an "abomination" as is a "man lying with a man." In both instances the same original Greek for "abomination" is used.

Clearly, we've gotten beyond shellfish as an unclean thing not fit for consumption. If we no longer insist upon compliance with one, recognizing its silliness, does it not stand to reason that the other is likewise ripe for the relic waste bin? Finally realizing love is love.

BERNIE EVANS

Black Creek

Turn on, tune in and listen to the prez

Our president gives an interview to the New Yorker magazine and states that he has no problem with pot as it is just a vice, similar to cigarettes and no worse than alcohol.

He reaffirms the strength of his position by stating that no, he would not desire that his daughters partake.

Hmmm. Good for all the other folk, just not his.

Here is the leader (from behind) of the not-so-free (anymore) world and he apparently is spouting his personal opinion, as any responsible doctor will tell you that pot is harmful, that cigarettes will kill you and that prolonged usage of alcohol has debilitating negative effects.

The fact that the primary financier for his candidacy was George Soros, who also just happens to be the money behind the movement to legalize pot across this nation. Why? What is the end game for these people? No one in politics does anything for anyone without an agenda.

The dumbing down of America has been going on quietly for years, but it has taken root in the past five. Why would a person in a position of authority promote any drug that takes the individual person out of the normal functions of life?

The active ingredient in pot, THC, is so potent and powerful in today's pot products that it makes the user useless for any task requiring any degree of aptitude. Do you desire your mechanic, dental hygienist, electrician, plumber or any number of working people to be under the influence? The prez doesn't seem to mind.

The high from THC affects each user just a little differently. Euphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety ... as high as the user gets, they then have to come down - depression. The cognitive functions of the brain fail. The user loses interest except for those things immediately before them. Their attention span is limited and they suffer from short-term memory loss.

The president's comments further enhance what we have seen from this administration and from the progressive liberals in general - there is no accountability for their actions. Do your thing, just don't touch mine.

We will not judge your aberrant behavior because you are "free" to do whatever you want because the wishes of a minority supersede the well-being of the whole. None of this works and all of it is harmful.

BERNARD K. LOGAN, JR.

Savannah

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